Congressional candidate Jason Lewis speaks to the 2nd Congressional District Republican Party Convention in Apple Valley on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Lewis won the party’s endorsement. (Pioneer Press: David Montgomery)

An army of cheering, red-clad supporters boosted Jason Lewis over David Gerson and his own dedicated band to win the Republican Party’s endorsement for the 2nd Congressional District on Saturday.

Lewis, a former talk-radio host, triumphed after the sixth ballot at the 2nd District Republican Party’s convention in Apple Valley. Gerson, his sole remaining opponent, withdrew before the results were announced from the seventh ballot confirming Lewis’ victory.

“This is about the individual’s right to the American Dream and rising as high as your abilities can take you, and I intend to protect that,” Lewis said in his victory speech.

NEXT UP: PRIMARY BATTLE, GENERAL ELECTION

Under Minnesota’s endorsement system, party conventions vote to endorse candidates, but other candidates who don’t get the endorsement can ask voters to overrule that endorsement and pick them instead at the Aug. 9 primary. Gerson said Saturday that he would abide by the endorsement, drop out and support Lewis.

But at least one and possibly two candidates will challenge Lewis for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 9 primary. Businesswoman Darlene Miller has promised to run in the primary, while former state Sen. John Howe said he will decide soon whether to stay in the race.

Howe was eliminated after the second ballot. Miller asked to be removed from the ballot before voting began, acknowledging her lack of support among the delegates. Both hope they can do better among Republican voters as a whole than they did among the 309 delegates chosen from around the district.

Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

Whichever candidate receives the GOP nomination will face former health care executive Angie Craig, the presumptive Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee, in the November general election.

ELECTABILITY PITCH KEY TO LEWIS VICTORY

Gerson came into the convention with a number of advantages. This was his third run for the 2nd District Republican nomination, after challenges in 2012 and 2014 to then-Rep. John Kline.

This gave him familiarity with many delegates, experience at waging convention fights and a deep, loyal core of supporters.

Gerson backers such as Jordan Grovum of Cottage Grove promised to “stand here all night if we have to and vote for Gerson.”

But though Gerson led on the initial count, Lewis gained votes on each subsequent ballot.

The winning message: that Lewis best combined conservative values and electability, while Gerson would have problems winning the general election.

“You need a candidate that likes to mix it up,” Lewis said. “You need a candidate that believes in what he or she says.”

Lewis made his argument explicit with a flier attacking Gerson’s fundraising — a flier Gerson said had a serious effect.

He waved that flier before the voters in a mid-voting speech, assuring delegates that “I can get the message out there.”

It didn’t work. Lewis gained nine votes from Gerson on the next ballot, who then dropped out when it was clear he wouldn’t come back.

Candidate David Gerson waves a flier criticizing his fundraising before delegates at the 2nd Congressional District Republican Convention on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Though Gerson tried to rebut arguments that he would be a poor general election candidate, they contributed to him losing the party endorsement. (Pioneer Press: David Montgomery)

LEWIS OVERCOMES ALLEGATIONS OF ‘BAGGAGE’

Though Lewis pitched himself as the most electable candidate, his opponents argued he actually had major shortcomings in the general election.

Howe, in particular, accused Lewis of having “unelectable baggage,” including controversial comments about women and slavery from Lewis’ former radio show, that would make him vulnerable against Craig in November.

Indeed, minutes after he won the party endorsement, Craig released a statement accusing Lewis of “divisive views and ugly rhetoric” that are “totally out of step with a majority of Minnesotans.”

Lewis said Democrats are attacking him because they’re afraid of him, and said the attacks wouldn’t be effective, anyway.

Lewis, in turn, called Craig “the most radical candidate (Democrats) could possibly find.”

But Lewis might have to wait for the head-to-head with Craig. Both Howe and Miller have more money in the bank than Lewis and could mount a stiff challenge in the August primary.

Howe highlights his political experience as a mayor and lawmaker and has a message focused on the rising national debt. Miller says her business experience and outsider status are good fits for the district and political climate.

“I’m just running hard,” Lewis said. “If there’s a primary, there’s a primary. But I feel very good, very confident.”

David has covered politics and government for the Pioneer Press since 2014, after six years covering South Dakota politics. His goal is to explain what the news means and not just relay what politicians and officials say.

As you comment, please be respectful of other commenters and other viewpoints. Our goal with article comments is to provide a space for civil, informative and constructive conversations. We reserve the right to remove any comment we deem to be defamatory, rude, insulting to others, hateful, off-topic or reckless to the community. See our full terms of use here.

Yeah! Jason Lewis is a blow-hard clown on the GOP circus train. I agree with you there!

Bear

This big mouth blow-hard needs to go away for good…he sucked on his radio show, as a mini Donald T-Rump.

Tucker

So much HATE! I wish you lots of luck!

Bear

If you want to hear hate, just listen to Jason Lewis speak. Now THAT is hate. But I wish you lots of luck in your dreamworld.

Tucker

So calling attention to wasteful government spending is hateful speech? I believe you are in a dreamworld. This is what our Founding Fathers called checks and balances and Mr. Lewis through his former radio talk show talked about how the government could do things better. The truth is hard for you to take and the Left in Minnesota hates it when they hear the truth. Just remember the government is to serve the people, not the other way around. You may want a “socialist” government, but that isn’t going to happen. As a taxpayer I am tired of the wasteful spending and Mr. Lewis is a breath of fresh air to the likes of Washington D. C.

Bear

You clearly have NEVER heard or paid attention to him rant on his talk shows. But then, your dreamworld is about as phony as he is. If that clown is a breath of “fresh air”…he needs serious mouthwash. He`s nothing more than a mini T-rump and that is being kind.

Tucker

Spoken like a koolaide drinking DFLer!

Bear

And you`re speaking like a true right wing one issue nut case, that doesn`t like facts to get in the way of your screwed up agenda…..so light up another cigarette and go back into your FOX news / Rush Limpnuts dreamland. You are a true shoe sized IQ Rethuglican. Thanks for proving it though. Better luck next time.

Tucker

Sorry to bust your bubble, but I don’t listen to Rush or watch Fox News. When you earn your PhD, come back and we will talk! I just can’t stand low information voters such as yourself!

SouthernGuy

Good for Jason Lewis.

People who care to understand his politics rather than to just have a knee-jerk reaction to his name, know that even though he runs as a Republican in reality he is more a fiscally conservative Libertarian: a champion of “least government necessary”. Considering how government at every level has been engaging in raping the people for decades (I’d use another term but it would never get by the thought police), Lewis’ endorsement and hoped-for election as 2nd. District Congressman can only be a good thing.

Jay Eagle

All these “Libertarians” are all about small government – that is, until THEY need something. Ayn Rand collected Social Security.

bigdrone

And medicare. It’s nothing but a pipe dream. And if this guy gets elected, he will soon learn that roads don’t grow on trees.

Mr. Furious

With all due respect Jay, why is that a problem? We’re all forced to pay into Social Security. I disagree with it personally but I’m damned well going to collect because I was forced to pay in.

Jay Eagle

Of course you are going to collect it. Exactly. Why wouldn’t you? So much for standing on principle though, huh?

Mr. Furious

But how is that a violation of principle? You can disagree with a law and yet still see some benefit of it. If people were not forced to participate in social security contributions, you’d have a point.

Jay Eagle

It’s GOTTA be hard to be a Republican these days. What a bunch of marooooooons.

Bear

I have to agree with you there! The GOP is a real circus train of clowns.

SlackDaddy

Chocolate Maroons?

Jay Eagle

With lots of nuts.

Alan Mackenthun

Jason is the real deal libertarian conservative. He’s principled and practiced at explaining his principles and the principles underlying our constitution through 25 years on the radio doing it everyday. He is right wing, but it’s based on principles and years of study. Anne Craig is an extreme left wing kook and will not be well received in this district.

bigdrone

If racism and misogyny are part of the platform. And I have to admit, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were…in a wink wink, nod nod sort of way.

Alan Mackenthun

Give me a break! Don’t you dare tar me with those lies! There is much less of a trace of racism in the Republican Party than in the Democratic Party. We are proud to be the party of Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony. Republican President Eisenhower desegregated the schools and Republicans passed and signed the Civil Rights Act. We want minorities to enjoy their constitutional rights as much as, or more than anyone.

bigdrone

Look up Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” and then get back to me.

bigdrone

Or Lee Atwater’s “We can’t say Niiger anymore” speech and get back to me2.

Alan Mackenthun

That was almost 50 years ago and it was more an academic argument for the Republican take over of the south than anything real. I’ve been heavily involved in the party for 25 years and I’ve never seen a trace of racism. We don’t care a lick about your race. Everyone is born with the same inalienable rights and has the same opportunities. Our deputy chair is a black man. We welcome blacks to participate and encourage their participation. The accusations of racism in the Republican Party grew tired many years ago.

Bear

LOL………… Alan is having a pipe dream again.

bigdrone

Who cares? This guy is way to “out there” to get elected.

Tucker

Typical DFL response. Thanks, you made my day with your ignorance! LOL!

Bear

You made a great Rethuglican answer as a come back. Now you`re late for class, so put out the cigarette and head out of your mom and dads basement for that future PhD education you dream of. Thanks for proving my points with your right wing ignorance. LOL…… Now go dream on.

Tucker

You “ASSume” a lot of things, typical DFL response. LOL!

Bear

Try again. Not doing real well as a rethuglican, but low IQ is common with them. you need more practice. Keep goingi

Tucker

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln

Bear

AHhhhh……. Getting all tuckerd out? Go figure. LOL……

Steve

Are you a GayBear?

Bear

Steve is a TROLL…………….. Lots of them in the GOP circus train these days.

More in Government & Politics

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump blamed Senate Republicans, not himself, for the stalled GOP agenda Monday ahead of a crucial White House lunch meeting with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on getting make-or-break tax legislation back on track. The president also expressed understanding for former senior aide Steve Bannon’s all-out war on the GOP establishment, an insurgent attack on McConnell and...

In April 2016, at the height of the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, Congress effectively stripped the Drug Enforcement Administration of its most potent weapon against large drug companies suspected of spilling prescription narcotics onto the nation’s streets. By then, the opioid war had claimed 200,000 lives, more than three times the number of U.S. military deaths in the...

It’s been called Pedro Park, Fitzgerald Park and the Park at the Heart. But whatever its name, the vision has always been the same: a downtown St. Paul park to replace the old Pedros Luggage and Public Safety Annex buildings off 10th and Robert streets, offering surrounding residents a green oasis on par with Mears Park. But St. Paul Mayor...

Election 2018 may be more than a year away, but one of the longest-standing members of the Ramsey County Board already has a challenger. Trista MatasCastillo, a 16-year military veteran and housing advocate who lives in St. Paul’s Payne-Phalen neighborhood, launched her campaign this week for the District 3 seat on the seven-member Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. The seat...

St. Paul’s next mayor will face tough decisions when it comes to police and public safety. Creating a safer city with a police force that works better with diverse communities, including a growing population of immigrants and people of color, isn’t an easy task. Reports of shots fired in St. Paul were up 40 percent in September — and 75...

Minnesota will sue the Trump administration over its plans to stop federal payments that have reduced the cost of health insurance, Attorney General Lori Swanson said Friday. Through legal filings and a late Thursday night announcement, President Donald Trump’s administration said that the payments were illegal because they had not been approved by Congress. But Swanson and other Democratic attorneys...